Delivery of first EarthCruiser to US

Australia imports its fair share of RVs, thanks to increasing demand for the likes of Bailey, Swift, Adria, Airstream, and other top-notch foreign brands. But homegrown campers are also making their mark on the world stage, thanks to some innovative designs.

The latest export success, is Queensland-based off-road motorhome manufacturer EarthCruiser, which recently delivered its first unit in America after setting up a US based office in Bend, Oregon.

The managing director of EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles, Lance Gillies, said that the rugged, all-terrain motorhomes, which are also available in Europe, Spain, Egypt and the UK, are finding favour with professional adventurers, with current owners including wildlife photographers, hunters, surfers, rock climbers, as well as corporations needing 4x4 capable RVs.

“The vehicle is also in demand by eco and volunteer travellers who are delivering medical supplies to remote locations, teaching children, repairing endangered reefs, and a wide variety of outreach programs,” he said.

Built on Mitsubishi Fuso 4x4 truck chassis, the EarthCruiser overland vehicles are designed to tackle all types of terrain, from desert crossings to snow covered mountain trails.

The self-contained, two-berth campers feature a temperature-insulating fibreglass composite body, specially designed soft ride/hard road suspension kit and super-single 36 inch Michelin XZL tyres, and high-capacity solar panel and water purification systems. 

Albury, NSW-based Mountain Trail Campers, also sold one of its off-road campers to the US around 18 months ago. But Mountain Trail boss Nick Edwards said there had been very little interest since from American buyers for his high-quality soft-floor campers, thanks to the strong Australian dollar.

Also venturing beyond our shores is NSW-based Complete Campsite, which supplied a number of customised off-road campers for security forces protecting workers laying pipeline on a large petroleum project in Papua New Guinea.

While another Aussie company with overseas ambitions is Pakenham, Victoria-based 3 Dog Camping, which has a European distributor and regularly exhibits its camper trailers at the Caravan Salon Dusseldorf
in Germany, one of the world's biggest caravan shows.

Queensland-based motorhome builder Talvor also recently set up a new factory in California to produce RVs for the American market.